Changes to Google’s Orkut

Two weeks ago, Google announced the third set of layout changes to its social network, Orkut. There are quite a few changes, but so far only a few users are able to see them. Some users are already seeing bigger profile pictures (a much needed change), a new menu on the left, full-screen photo viewing, and a new way of viewing user profiles.

In addition to these changes to the social networking engine, Google announced new resources for interactivity between users. For example, the new “Like” feature (in Portuguese, “Gostou?”, meaning, “Liked It?”). Sound familiar (ahem, Facebook)? But so as to not seem like they’remerely copying their social networking rivals, Google added a smiley feature to its Like button.

And while we have yet to confirm a date for this, the limits on friends and photos posted will also go up. It’s about time, too! If you can’t tell, we don’t really like the idea of social networks limiting users’ ability to connect with each other. Anyway, it seems like this time the changes won’t have an Orkut-distributed invite system, like last time. Profiles will instead be updated automatically by Google.

Well, mine hasn’t changed yet, but I’m looking forward to seeing how the new features will work. Who knows, maybe I’ll actually start using Orkut again?